Port Kembla stack goes out with a bang

The stack catching its last rays of sunshine before its explosive finale

Quite a crowd turned out to watch the Illawarra’s iconic copper stack implode, after approximately 1000 sequenced explosives were detonated in an impressive display.

The stack, which has been a dominant feature of Port Kembla since 1965, toppled to Earth at 11:15 this morning, producing mixed emotions for onlookers. There were cheers and tears from the crowd as the cloud of dust billowed into the air.

For many, the stack symbolised the end of the industrial dominance in Port Kembla as the land could be utilised for commercial or residential developments instead.